Special Session Leland Dam Walkway Project (Notes from Richard I. Lewis)

**Executive Summary: Leland Dam Bridge Repair Bids Notes**

**Objective**
The primary goal is to replace the Leland Dam Bridge utilizing materials such as Ipe, Thermally Modified Ash, or Treated Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) to ensure long-term durability and low maintenance requirements. Both Ipe and Thermally Modified Ash have been identified as suitable materials.

**Bidding Responses**
Various contractors submitted bids for the project based on different material options. For the base bid using Ipe, Easling Construction presented the lowest bid of $108,646.00. For the Thermally Modified Ash alternative, Fisher Contracting offered a competitive bid of $124,736.77. In contrast, the Treated SYP alternative saw a lower bid from Awrey Construction at $69,000.00. An additional modified bid proposed by Easling Construction for a mix of Ipe and Thermally Modified Ash was also noted but deemed less favorable due to supplier constraints.

**Management Options and Recommendations**
Several options have been outlined for the board’s consideration. The primary recommendation is to accept the lowest base bid from Easling Construction, as it utilizes the Ipe product which, while not sustainable, offers the most competitive pricing. Other options include accepting alternative bids for more sustainable materials or rejecting bids altogether for a potential rebid that could allow for a diverse selection of materials.

**Future Considerations**
The document notes that there may be further discussions regarding the competitive bidding policy, particularly if there is a preference for using local firms in Leelanau County. Revisiting this policy might be necessary to align with the long-term interests of the County.